How to Close Your Pool Off for Winter

It might be easy to think that your pool will be fine if unused during the winter. That all you need is a pool cover, or that it might just freeze over and thaw by spring. However, that is not the case! Bacteria can still grow, freezing water can damage piping, filters, and much more if you don’t winterize your pool.

Proper pool care during the winter is rumored to be trickier then it is. We’ve set out to give you the simplest and easiest directions to keep your pool clean, safe, and prevent future damages. Pay attention to forecasts! Act before the cold weather starts, and don’t wait before it’s too late.

Closing Off Your Pool

*Note: Before closing your pool off, make sure you have enough chemicals, and tools to complete the job. You will also need to make sure you have read all of pool equipment instructions.

Adjust your pool chemicals (and check up on them bi-weekly or monthly)

This includes:

pH (7.2 – 7.6)

alkalinity (80 – 120 ppm)

calcium hardness (180 – 220 ppm)

chlorine (1 – 4 ppm)

chlorine stabilizer (25 – 30 ppm)

This will help bacteria, algae, and other contaminants from growing and ruining your pool

Remove all in pool accessories. Ladders, floats, hoses, filters, pumps, heaters, and store in a dry place

Skim, Brush, and Vacuum the Pool. Remove the dirt and the debris. Don’t forget to clean the filter

Drain the water below the pool skimmer:

3-7 inches below the pool skimmer if you plan using a solid or floating pool cover.

11-19 inches below the pool skimmer if you’re using a mesh cover

Clean and drain all your pool equipment

This includes heaters, filters, pumps, and anything in contact with water

Winterize all plumbing to and from the pool by blowing out all plumbing line. Also plug the lines as well. This will prevent the pipes from freezing.

Cover the pool with the cover of your choice. Always make sure the cover is securely fastened.